Japanese AS mortar

[crsutton]

I notice that by early 1944 some Japanese PCs are using an anti submarine mortar. Anyone know of a link to infor about this weapon? I could not find a photo or description and am curious.

[Terminus]

It was a 3in trench mortar, appropriated from the SNLF, and firing the same ammunition. 99,99% useless against enemy subs.

[khyberbill]

Probably would scare the living bejesus out of anyone in a submarine if it got near one. The sub I was on got hit by a hand grenade once. I was the AMRLL2 watch and it exploded near me and I had a hard time controlling the bowel spasms.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: khyberbill

Probably would scare the living bejesus out of anyone in a submarine if it got near one. The sub I was on got hit by a hand grenade once. I was the AMRLL2 watch and it exploded near me and I had a hard time controlling the bowel spasms.

who is throwing a handgrenade at a sub? [X(]

[Honda]

That's SO obviously confidential...[:D]

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

It was a 3in trench mortar, appropriated from the SNLF, and firing the same ammunition. 99,99% useless against enemy subs.

In this game they're pretty deadly mind you[;)]

[Terminus]

Yet more proof that WitP is a completely ahistorical pile of JFB garbage...[:D]

But the IJN 3in ASW mortar was useless.

[ColFrost]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

ORIGINAL: Terminus

It was a 3in trench mortar, appropriated from the SNLF, and firing the same ammunition. 99,99% useless against enemy subs.

In this game they're pretty deadly mind you[;)]

Really? I haven't come close with my ASW Mortar. Usually when it says "PC Manju fires 3" ASW mortar" that's when I go for a sip of coffee.

[Speedysteve]

I've found them quite effective with the right commanders in charge..........same as Type 2 DC's........

[SireChaos]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

I've found them quite effective with the right commanders in charge..........same as Type 2 DC's........

Me, too.

I´m playing Allies against the AI, late ´43, and I have so far faced three PC Etorofu, or whatever they´re called - the ones with the AS mortar and 4+2 Type 2 DCs. One sub sunk, one sub badly mangled, in return for one PC unconfirmed sunk (it took a torpedo and I never heard from it again).

[Q-Ball]

I can't tell if they work or not in game. Usually if the mortar fires off one of the C/D type PCs, then it also fires the 12xType 2 DC racks. If that happens, it's usually bad for the Allied sub. It's the type 2s that seem to hurt most, NOT the mortars.

[crsutton]

Yeah, it is March 44 and my opponent has only hit one sub with the 3 inch mortar after hundreds of shots. However, the Type 2 DC is another story. Damn that Andrew J. May and his big mouth. When I get back from patrol I am going to Washington DC and will personally give him a good kick in the butt!

[khyberbill]

who is throwing a handgrenade at a sub?

Actually, we were in a war game with a carrier group...I think it was the Saratoga, CV-60. Our captain got clever and snuck up to take a picture, (which I still have somewhere) right off the starboard side of the carrier and someone on the carrier tossed the grenade at the periscope. This was interesting for a few reasons, first of all the Sturgeon had never been caught before in a war game. In fact, once we had a full captain come on board to monitor us because it was thought we were cheating. I asked if we had monitors on Russian subs to make sure they werent cheating? Secondly, we had been caught by a carrier, and not by any of its support ships such as the numerous DD's, planes and if I recall, two other Sturgeon class subs.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Yet more proof that WitP is a completely ahistorical pile of JFB garbage...[:D]

But the IJN 3in ASW mortar was useless.

Pffft! We just use them more effectively than the Japanese did. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: khyberbill

who is throwing a handgrenade at a sub?

Actually, we were in a war game with a carrier group...I think it was the Saratoga, CV-60. Our captain got clever and snuck up to take a picture, (which I still have somewhere) right off the starboard side of the carrier and someone on the carrier tossed the grenade at the periscope. This was interesting for a few reasons, first of all the Sturgeon had never been caught before in a war game. In fact, once we had a full captain come on board to monitor us because it was thought we were cheating. I asked if we had monitors on Russian subs to make sure they werent cheating? Secondly, we had been caught by a carrier, and not by any of its support ships such as the numerous DD's, planes and if I recall, two other Sturgeon class subs.

Two questions:

1. What happened to the idiot who threw the grenade?

2. Is it common for personnel on US CVs to carry live hand grenades while on cruises? [X(]

[khyberbill]

Two questions:

1. What happened to the idiot who threw the grenade?

2. Is it common for personnel on US CVs to carry live hand grenades while on cruises?

A grenade is not going to hurt a submarine. It exploded before it hit the sub. And I have no idea what is common on US CV's. This would of been in 1972 or 73. Most on the sub didnt even hear it. I heard it because I was next to it, but nobody forward of the machinery spaces heard except for the sonar men, and even for them, it was muted since most of our arrays look forward or directly aft. We were the first sub with the new towed array and this was one of the first times we had used it other than testing.

I am sure that whoever threw it, was told to throw it. I know we had small arms on the sub, but they are always locked up, and I presume the same is true for a cv. They might even have marines.

[Terminus]

I'd be very surprised if the carrier didn't have an extensive arsenal of small arms, including grenades. Nuclear reactors and ditto bombs don't guard themselves, you know...[;)]

[thegreatwent]

quote:


Two questions:

1. What happened to the idiot who threw the grenade?

2. Is it common for personnel on US CVs to carry live hand grenades while on cruises?



A grenade is not going to hurt a submarine. It exploded before it hit the sub. And I have no idea what is common on US CV's. This would of been in 1972 or 73. Most on the sub didnt even hear it. I heard it because I was next to it, but nobody forward of the machinery spaces heard except for the sonar men, and even for them, it was muted since most of our arrays look forward or directly aft. We were the first sub with the new towed array and this was one of the first times we had used it other than testing.

I am sure that whoever threw it, was told to throw it. I know we had small arms on the sub, but they are always locked up, and I presume the same is true for a cv. They might even have marines.

A friend of mine served on the USS Forest Sherman and he told me that during war games they sometimes tossed grenades to add to the reality of the training. Crew could get used to explosions and not panic. They also messed with the sonar operators[:D] .

[Nikademus]

I can't imagine anyone tossing a grenade without having been told to do so. Even today, you don't play with firecrackers aboard a billion dollar investment of Taxpayer's money unless your really looking for a short Military career. [:D]

[thegreatwent]

I'll ask him when I see him next, but I assume they were under orders to use the grenades. [:)]

Although I just used the assume word, that word always got me into trouble while I was in the military[X(]